Unable to hold back another moment, she pressed her lips to his.
He let out a relieved sound then brought his hands to her head and kissed her back. “I love you,” he whispered between kisses, telling her with his words and lips how much he truly meant it.
He finally pulled back. “Marry me, Gemma. I don’t know if you want to stay with me or go back to your time. But whatever you choose, let me be with you.”
Her eyes watered. The love shining from his eyes was everything she’d ever dreamed of. “Yes. You’re everything I want, everything I’ll ever need. My life is here, with you.”
He grinned in happy relief, and then kissed her again, sealing their promise. “Then we’ll stay here and build our future. I know how much you’re giving up to be with me, but I promise I’ll try to give you even more in return.”
“As long as you love me, it will always be enough.”
The look he gave her made her stomach flip.
“You’ll never, ever need to doubt my love for you. I’ll be sure to show you every single day.”
She sighed into another kiss. She couldn’t imagine ever being happier than this—in this time or the future.
All her dreams had come true.
Epilogue
Gemma looked at herself in the mirror one last time. Her white satin and lace gown was exquisite, more beautiful than any wedding dress she’d ever imagined.
“You look beautiful.”
She gasped and spun toward the doorway. “Logan! What are you doing here? I told you we weren’t supposed to see each other before the wedding!” She laughed.
“I couldn’t stay away.” He stepped into her room, leaving the door open, and came to her. “I wanted to see you, to tell you one more time that I’m so glad you’re mine. I’m so glad you’re marrying me. I’m the luckiest man alive.” He lifted her hand and kissed the skin.
Need rushed through her. “I’m so glad too.”
A glint entered his eye. “Just wait until tonight. I’ll make you even happier.”
Shocked, her mouth hung open, and she covered his mouth with her hand. “Oh my gosh!” She looked around to make sure no one else was in the room. “Someone could hear you.”
Humor danced in his eyes, and he pressed a kiss to her palm. They’d waited a month to get married, much longer than she’d wanted to, but Alison had begged them to let her plan a large event. “They’ll hear us tonight.”
Her cheeks colored. She knew he was probably right, but she didn’t like thinking about it. She wanted to tease him again, but he just looked so happy. She felt like she’d waited forever to get to this day. “I’m so glad it’s finally here.”
“Me too,” he whispered, kissing her lips before pulling away. “I also came to see if you were ready for the ceremony to start.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “Just about.” She was thrilled it was finally time, but there was a small part of today that was bittersweet.
Logan lifted her chin so she was looking at him. “Gemma, what is it? Is something wrong?”
She reached up and wrapped her hand around his wrist, holding it in place. “No. I’m so happy about today. It’s just, I wish my dad was here.”
She’d shown him pictures of her father, of her old home, her friends, and everything else she’d loaded to her phone so she’d never forget.
Understanding lit in his eyes, and he gathered her in his arms. “I know. I can’t imagine how hard that must be. But you know he loves you. I’m sure he’s thinking of you all the time.”
She knew it was true. She’d tried to explain everything in her letter, but she knew her dad must still miss her. “I know. I don’t miss anything else from the future except for him—and maybe pizza—but I can live without that.”
“Maybe someday you’ll see him again.”
She ached, wishing that were true. “I know. I just…I wish my father were here for the wedding.”
A loud crash sounded downstairs, a scream following right after. Gemma’s eyes widened. “What was that?”
Logan was already moving toward the door. “Stay here.”
“Uh. No way.”
He threw her a resigned look as if he really wished she’d listen to him but knew she wouldn’t. “If there’s trouble, I want you to run back to your room and lock the door.”
She didn’t respond. If there was trouble, she would stay and protect him. She was never going to leave his side.
They made it downstairs, and the screaming stopped. But as they raced down the hall, they saw Alison pointing a gun at something in the library. “Who are you, and what do you want?”
Her weapon never wavered. Had someone broken into the house? Today of all days. It couldn’t possibly be one of the guests, could it?
A male voice floated out of the room. “My name is Edward Watts. I’m Gemma Watts’ father.”
Alison lowered her gun. “Gemma’s father?” She looked over her shoulder, seeing Logan and Gemma, but Gemma couldn’t respond.
She knew that voice. Had missed it. Had heard it on her phone as she watched videos over and over.
She stepped into the doorway. “Dad?”
Relief crossed her father’s face, and she rushed toward him, running into his arms. “Gemma! Are you all right?”
Tears sprang to Gemma’s eyes. She couldn’t hold them back if she tried. “I’m good. Everything is fine. How are you here? What happened? Did Dr. Lachele send you?” She asked him questions faster than he could respond.
He pulled back from her, looking at her face as if he couldn’t believe he was actually seeing her. “When I got your letter, I couldn’t believe it. I tried to track you down on your trip, but then I found out you hadn’t left. I searched everywhere before finally approaching Dr. Lachele. She assured me you were well and that you had gotten married and were happy.” He looked down at her white dress, a question in his eyes.
In her excitement, she’d completely forgotten about Logan and Alison and the wedding. “I’m not married yet.”
Logan stepped forward. “But she will be in an hour.” He nodded to her father. “I’m grateful you were able to make it in time, Mr. Watts. Gemma was heartbroken thinking about getting married without you here. I’m Logan Walburn.” He offered his hand, and her father shook it tentatively, glancing at Gemma.
Logan held his hand out to Alison. “And this is my mother, Alison Walburn.”
Her dad nodded in greeting toward Alison. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Do I have you both to thank for keeping an eye on my daughter?”
Alison set her weapon aside and stepped forward. “It been a pleasure having her here. We’re so excited for her to join our family.” She offered him her hand, and he took it, holding it gently. “And Mr. Walburn?” he asked, glancing around. “Is he here as well?”
Alison looked down. “He passed when Logan was young.”
Regret crossed her father’s features. “I’m sorry.”
“It was a long time ago,” she said.
Understanding passed between their two parents. Gemma had told Logan and Alison all about how her mother had abandoned them when she was small.
“Mr. Watts,” Logan said, and everyone turned toward him. “I hadn’t the opportunity to ask you this before, but considering I’m marrying your daughter in a few minutes, I’d like to have your blessing.”
His eyes glanced at Gemma’s white dress again. “Are you sure you want to get married right now, honey?”
She grinned and walked over to Logan, threading her arm with his. “Yes. I love him, Dad. He’s everything I’ve ever hoped for. I know you just met him, but once you get to know him, you’ll know that too.”
Her dad looked between them, and then his stance relaxed. “I can see that already. And I can see how much you both love each other.” He looked at Logan. “Yes. You have my permission to marry.”
Gemma rushed back to her dad and hugged him. “Thank you so much.” She pulled away and looked at him. “How long ca
n you stay?”
He pointed to the bags behind him. “Forever.”
Gemma’s jaw dropped. “You’re staying forever? You’re not going back? What about your practice? What about the house?”
Her father smiled. “All taken care of. Gemma, there was nothing keeping me there. Sure, I had the dental practice, but I didn’t care about it. You’re the only thing in my life that means anything. I want to see you get married and have kids. I want to know my grandchildren.”
Gemma’s eyes watered again. She was so emotional! “Dad, I don’t want you to give everything up for me.”
He shook his head. “I did it for me. I needed a change. An adventure. The Wild West seemed like the perfect place. Besides, I did some research on dental care in this time period…I think people here will appreciate my skills.”
She laughed through her water-logged eyes. “I love you so much, Dad.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.” He pulled away. “I forgot. I have a letter for you from Dr. Lachele.”
“Dr. Lachele?”
He nodded and pulled it out of his coat pocket. “She said you’d be busy and could read it later.” He shook his head as he handed it over. “She failed to mention you were busy getting married. She told me that if for some reason you decided to return back to your time, all you needed to do was click your heels three times and say, ‘I wish to go home.’” He shook his head wryly. “She’s quite the character.”
Gemma chuckled. “She really is.”
Her father smiled and sighed happily. “Now that that’s done, and it doesn’t look like you’ll be a runaway bride, I think it’s time for you to get married.”
Gemma didn’t know how she could be any happier than she was in this moment. “Thanks, Dad.”
She gave her father one more hug before Alison stepped forward. “Why don’t you come with me, Edward? I think one of Logan’s suits will fit you just fine.”
He smiled at Alison in a way Gemma had never seen. “That’s very kind of you.” He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
A bemused expression filled Alison’s face, and she blushed, taking his offered arm before Gemma’s dad led her out of the room.
Logan smiled, watching their parents leave the room. “I think my mother is going to enjoy having a modern man around. He’ll appreciate who she is instead of being intimidated by her.”
Gemma agreed. It surprised her that their parents seemed to have an instant connection. She looked at Logan and smiled. “Maybe there’s something that happens to us Watts when Walburns hold us at gunpoint. Instant love.”
He snorted and then captured her in his arms. “It must be true.” He kissed her. “I love you, Gemma.”
She sighed, relaxing into the kiss. “I love you too.”
“I think it’s about time we got married.”
“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for that to happen.”
He grinned. “Oh, I think I do.”
He tucked her arm in his, leading her toward their future.
She never knew life could be so perfect or that she could ever be so happy. She’d come here, hoping to find a love like this, one that could compare to the novels she read.
She just hoped all her friends had found the same thing. This was her happily-ever-after. And she’d always be grateful for her matchmaking fairy godmother.
Titles by Janelle Daniels
Copper Kings
Western Bride (Copper Kings – Book 1)
Western Promise (Copper Kings – Book 2)
Western Future (Copper Kings – Book 3)
Western Dilemma (Copper Kings – Book 4)
Miners to Millionaires
A Mail-Order Heart (Miners to Millionaires – Book 1)
A Mail-Order Wish (Miners to Millionaires – Book 2)
A Mail-Order Hope (Miners to Millionaires – Book 3)
A Mail-Order Dream (Miners to Millionaires – Book 4)
A Mail-Order Chance (Miners to Millionaires – Book 5)
A Mail-Order Dawn (Miners to Millionaires – Book 6)
A Mail-Order Escape (Miners to Millionaires – Book 7)
A Mail-Order Illusion (Miners to Millionaires – Book 8)
A Mail-Order Haven (Miners to Millionaires – Book 9)
A Mail-Order Destiny (Miners to Millionaires – Book 10)
Scandals & Secrets
Scandal of Love (Scandals & Secrets – Book 1)
Masquerade Secrets (Scandals & Secrets – Book 2)
Secrets in Mourning (Scandals & Secrets – Book 3)
A Kiss with Scandal (Scandals & Secrets – Book 4)
A Christmas Secret (Scandals & Secrets – Book 4.5)
Single Title Romance
Sunkissed
My Only Wish
Collaborations
Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Brides)
Falling for a Duke (Timeless Regency Collection)
Zara’s Zephyr (The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides)
The Minx Miner (The Book Club)
The Witches of Redwood Falls
The Witching Moon (The Witches of Redwood Falls – Book 1)
The Witches Craft (The Witches of Redwood Falls – Book 2)
Discover other titles by Janelle Daniels
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THE MINX MINER
Dream Cache Publishing
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
www.janelledaniels.com
Copyright © 2019 by Janelle Daniels
Cover Art © 2019 Erin Dameron-Hill
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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